Results 10,641-10,660 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Eligibility (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The current minimum agricultural education requirement to qualify for access to Department of Agriculture schemes and Revenue tax exemptions is ‘Level 6’ on the National Framework of Qualifications. Qualifications that meet the minimum standard are listed in Revenue Leaflet SD2B. I am advised that a level 3 qualification obtained in Northern Ireland is equivalent to a level 5...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Eligibility (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I was pleased to announce the launch of the “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” on 31st January. One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some sectors, which have caused cash flow difficulties for farmers. The Scheme, which was developed in co-operation with the Strategic Banking...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Records (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The cost per year for the past three years for the retrieval and return of hard copy files stored at off site locations for my Department, is as follows: Year 2014 2015 2016 Total (€) 11,420 11,652 12,120

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies Reports (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association asked to join the Monitoring Committee for Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 and were advised, on 12th October 2016, that my Department, in its role as Managing Authority, is satisfied with the composition of the Committee and has no plans to invite a second round of invitations to join the Committee. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farmers Charter Review (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: A Farmers’ Charter Review Group was set up in 2014 with a view to agreeing a new Farmers’ Charter of Rights. The Farmers’ Charter Review Group was chaired by an Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and comprised of senior Department officials and representatives of farming organisations. Following on from positive engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agrifood Sector (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I welcome the publication of the report referred to by the Deputy, which is a useful contribution to the range of analysis carried out by my Department and by other bodies on the implications of Brexit for Ireland's agri-food and fisheries sectors, and will be considered in that context. I note the points made in the report in relation to the extensive regional impact of the food and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: An application under 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 21 April 2015. Under the 2015 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants were required to meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: European Investment Bank Loans (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: It is a matter for the European Investment Bank(EIB) as to whom it provides loan finance and for what purpose. While my Department does not provide finance for the purchase of land for forestry, the Government recognises the importance of the forestry sector in Ireland by providing 100% establishment grants to land owners to encourage them to plant, as well as premium payments for 15 years.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Records (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department has not used cloud or third party storage for the storage of data or files during the last three years. Software licence negotiations have resulted in my Department acquiring the option of using cloud services - see table below - as it was more economically viable to include cloud offerings as part of an overall software bundle. My Department is currently evaluating the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Regulatory Impact Assessment Submissions (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Regulatory impact assessments for Bills are normally published on my Department's website www.agriculture.gov.ie ().

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The most recent figures in relation to online and paper applicants for Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 schemes administered by my Department are set out in the following table. - - Online Applications - Paper Applications - Scheme Number of Participants % of Participants Number of Participants % of Participants Total Number of Participants Basic Payment Scheme 101,005 76.68% 30,723 23.32%...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Data (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: It is important to note that borders and maritime delineations are in the first instance a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, I can provide you with our working figures for the purposes of preparing our analyses of the potential implications of Brexit for the Irish fishing industry. Our figures show that the total EU Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (200...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Based on the current participation levels in GLAS 1 and 2, the average annual contract value, excluding GLAS+ is €4,200. The average annual contract value will increase when GLAS+ payments are processed and the processing of GLAS 3 contracts to payment may also impact on the average payment. It is only when the 2017 payment processing is complete that the actual average annual...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Data (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The information requested by the Deputy set out in tabular form below reflects the position at close of business on 22 February 2017. While the report shows a zero return under the column PPV Pass, further validations were run over night resulting in 974 additional cases passing the prepayment validations and will now be sent for payment. A county breakdown of these additional cases is not...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Discussions on the future of the CAP post-2020 are just commencing within Council. The size and distribution of the future CAP budget will be determined as part of the process for agreeing the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the post-2020 period, discussions on which are not expected to commence until early 2018.    Given the significant contribution the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Data (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. As all AEOS 2 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Laboratory Facilities (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The Department tasked a working group, led by Prof. Alan Reilly, and comprising senior officials, with undertaking a review of its laboratory services, including both its Central Laboratory complex in Backweston, Co. Kildare and its network of Regional Laboratories in Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo. The ultimate objective of this review is to assist the Department in developing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Data (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: Almost 14,000 GLAS 3 applications were submitted to my Department on the GLAS online application system.  All GLAS 3 applications received have gone through the pre approval validation checking process and a total of 12,576 applications have been approved for participation in GLAS 3; 6,367 in Tier 1, 5,575 in Tier 2 and 634 in Tier 3. A further 1,400...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Funding (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 to 386, inclusive, together. I was pleased to announce the launch of the “Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme” on 31st January. One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some sectors, which have caused cash flow difficulties for farmers. The Scheme,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crop Losses (23 Feb 2017)

Michael Creed: The Deputy is aware from my previous replies to him of the position with regard to this issue and he will know that I hosted a further Tillage Stakeholders Forum last Thursday 16 February which consisted of representatives from all sides of this Sector. I took the opportunity to highlight at the Forum that one of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling...